Consider the following statements about Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy:
(A) Childhood experiences provided by the family and society develop core schemas in the individual.
(B) A critical incident triggers the core schema, leading to the development of negative automatic thoughts.
(C) The aim of the therapy is to achieve cognitive restructuring, which in turn reduces anxiety and depression.
(D) The first step of the therapy is the antecedent-belief-consequence (ABC) analysis of the client's distress.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, B and C only
(A) Childhood experiences provided by the family and society develop core schemas in the individual. — Correct. In Beck's theory, childhood experiences given by the family and society form core schemas, the deep beliefs and action patterns of the person.
(B) A critical incident triggers the core schema, leading to the development of negative automatic thoughts. — Correct. A later critical incident, such as public ridicule, triggers the core schema. Negative automatic thoughts then develop.
(C) The aim of the therapy is to achieve cognitive restructuring, which in turn reduces anxiety and depression. — Correct. Gentle questioning helps the client alter faulty thought structures. This cognitive restructuring in turn reduces anxiety and depression.
(D) The first step of the therapy is the antecedent-belief-consequence (ABC) analysis of the client's distress. — Incorrect. ABC analysis is the first step of Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). It notes the antecedent event, the irrational belief and the consequence.
NCERT (2026-27): “Cognitive Therapy … “… The questions make the client think in a direction opposite to that of the negative automatic thoughts whereby s/ he gains insight into the nature of her/ his dysfunctional schemas, and is able to alter her/his cognitive structures. The aim of the therapy is to achieve this cognitive restructuring which, in turn, reduces anxiety and depression.” |